Too Many People In This Relationship | KARAMO

Is there a friend or a family member that you've given maybe just a few too many details about your relationship to, and now they have some opinions? Well, that's what's happening with my next guest, Jerome. He says he wanted his girlfriend and best friend to be close. Now they've gone on vacations together and spent a lot of time together, but recently he started to see some major red flags that made him question his girlfriend's dedication to the relationship. Jerome actually believes that his best friend Laniki has slowly been seducing his girlfriend. Right? A mess. Help me welcome Jerome to the show. Hey Jerome, how you doing, man?

How you doing, sir?

Come on, take a seat, brother. So Jerome, you gotta start off. Tell me about your relationship with Carla.

All right, well, me and Carla, we met about 5 years ago.

Yes.

She caught my eye on Facebook. She was—

Oh, a beautiful couple. Okay.

Yeah. You know, she was beautiful to me. She's still beautiful to me. So I ended up inboxing her and, you know, everything went well. We started hooking up, spending time together, but I didn't really have any strong feelings for her or anything at the moment, you know? She was good company though. But a tragedy happened to me about 3 years ago.

And you said that strengthened the bond, the tragedy. What was that tragedy that happened?

About 3 years ago on September 5th, 2019, I was off work that day and I was with my friends spending time drinking, you know, just enjoying my off day. Later on that night, me and one of my closest friends, something like a brother, Marquise, he came over, we grabbed something to eat, came back, sat in front of my mother's house in his car. I'm waiting for him to eat his food so I could go back in the house. I'm hearing gunshots. I'm hearing a lot of gunshots. I got my eyes closed. We're in a rough neighborhood, so I'm not thinking, I'm not like, you know, overreacting at the gunshots. I hear gunshots often, unfortunately. All of a sudden I feel something hit my side. And I look to my right, I see basically gunfire all around the car. While I'm looking, a bullet flies straight through the window and shatters the window on the left-hand side. So at this moment I'm realizing that we're targeted. I don't know what's going on. So when that bullet shattered that window, I see that I gotta get out the car to survive. You understand me? So I open the car door and I fall on the ground to play dead. I fall on the ground, I roll under the car halfway. I'm still hearing gunshots. I don't still know what's going on. I finally hear no gunshots, so I muster up everything in me and run into the house.

So you were shot and, which I'm so sorry that happened to you, and because of that, your girl stood by your side.

Yeah, she did.

Okay, tell me about that.

So the incident caused a lot of confusion, you know, a lot of rumors and all that because I lost my friend from the incident. You know, I realized at the hospital that he was gone. I still, I'm confused on what happened. There's a lot of rumors and speculation on why he's gone and I'm still here and why did it happen in front of my family member's house? So I lost a lot of friends. I had a lot of family support, but I lost a lot of friends from it. And Carla was one of the people that stayed with me. You know, she— Yeah, she had that whole ride with me. She rode with me for my healing process, the recovery. And so we went from a friendship to a relationship.

She held you down.

Yeah.

Beautiful. I love that. So when did you start to suspect then that How did you find out Carla was cheating with your best friend?

Well, we spent a lot of time together. We like kind of like the Three Amigos. And over the summer we were spending time together. We took a trip to Virginia Beach. And while we were taking that trip, they got extremely close. I'm saying like I'm in the room by myself. You know, me and Carla had a room. I'm in the room by myself most of the time while she's at Laniki's room with her, you know? They spend their time, they doing TikToks. You know, I understand girls bond, but—

And so how often are the three of you together?

Well, at the beginning it was almost every other day. Hook up on weekends, go bowling, all that. But nowadays they're doing that.

I'm gonna ask you this, and this is just, I don't know the answers. Could it be that they're not having sexual relationship? Could it be that you're just jealous of the relationship that they have?

I'm definitely jealous.

Oh, okay.

Own it.

Listen, own it, okay?

I'm definitely jealous. I'm a little curious and they both acting real sneaky.

What are you hoping to find or what do you think you'll find?

Some answers, you know? I mean, I feel like Carla's a soulmate. You know, that incident that she was there for me with like was very dear to me, but I don't wanna be wasting my time if she's being unloyal and dishonest, you know?

Well, listen everyone, when we come back, we will meet Jerome's best friend, Laniki, and get her side of the story. All right everyone, it's time to meet Jerome's best friend, Laniki. Come on out, Laniki.

How are you doing?

Hello. Good, good. Welcome to the show. You look great.

Thank you. Nice to meet you.

Yeah, you look great. Oh, you don't wanna sit next to your best friend?

No, 'cause I'm really frustrated. I'm hurt, one, because I don't know why we are on here. I really don't. I feel like all of the years that we've been friends, he should've been able to just come to me.

So how do you feel about him accusing you of having sexual relationship with his girlfriend?

Well, I'm very frustrated and confused because I don't even, I'm not even interested in females.

Yeah.

Never have been, not once. And for him to, I mean, he's the one that got us close. I think their relationship was beautiful and for him to be accusing me and for him to really even feel like this, like he, I'm so lost 'cause he didn't even come to me not once to even ask me.

I didn't say something to both of y'all.

You said nothing to me.

I didn't say something to both of y'all. Y'all keep acting like I'm crazy, like I'm just making it up.

What did you say to Laniki then?

I asked her, was her and Karla messing? I'm an open person.

Okay.

I'm like, y'all got feelings for each other? They call each other bae and boo and everything.

And what did she say? What was your response when he asked you directly?

I don't even remember that question, but I, even if that was the case, you know I don't go that way. Period.

I know she do and I could just write it down.

Okay, that's her, but that's not me.

I feel it.

You should know me.

I feel it. I thought I did.

I thought you did too.

How do you feel when he says that he doesn't get good vibes, that he thinks y'all being sneaky? 'Cause that's a direct attack on you.

He's saying you being sneaky. I feel like, wow, that our relationship came to this.

Yeah.

I'm hurt. I'm hurt.

Me too.

Yeah.

I can't wait to find out these answers, man.

Oh, I can't wait either. I really can't.

I know I'm not tripping. I feel it in my heart.

So how long have you two been friends?

We've been friends since 14.

And how have you seen the relationship change?

I've seen him, he's more into his relationship and everything, but we still spend a lot of time together. I would've assumed that we had something going on before him and her and Karla, but I'm not, interested in. So I'm just, I'm really lost.

Yeah, 'cause you seem like a pretty upfront person. Has he ever accused you of anything like this in your relationship ever before?

Never.

Never. So this is the first time. Are you in a relationship?

No, I'm not. You're not? I'm currently just out of a relationship.

Got it. So you don't wanna be in one?

No.

Got it. Okay then. Why are you laughing at that?

'Cause she don't want my girl. That's how I feel.

Wow.

Really? Really?

Do you suspect that he may have feelings for you?

I know he start, I know at the beginning when he met me, yeah, he had a little crush, which, okay, I told him I wasn't interested, but we still was able to have this friendship that lasted this long. And I don't, that's why I'm so frustrated because we are better than this.

From your perspective, how has this relationship, this accusation changed Jerome and Carla's relationship?

I see them argue a lot more.

Yeah.

Yeah.

All right everyone, help me welcome Jerome's girlfriend Carla to the show. Hi Carla. Hi. How you doing?

I'm very frustrated. I don't understand why we're here, why he's accusing me.

You know why.

So I'm gonna ask you point blank, are you in a romantic relationship with Deron's best friend, Laniki?

Absolutely not. We're close. She's one of my closest friends. Like, I would think that he would be happy that I'm close with his female friend, like, especially because she's a female. Most females would be jealous. I should be the jealous one because he's giving his time and energy into another female besides me, so.

So do you have feelings for her at all?

No, not in the least romantic way. Like, no, not at all. Like, we're very close. She's like a sister to me.

A bestie.

I share my secrets and everything with her. Like, I tell her stuff that I can't even tell him now. 'Cause now we're like arguing more. Like, I just, he—

Why you shake your head to that? Because she's saying like, I share.

It proved me right, for real. They leave together.

But it doesn't mean they're having a sexual relationship just because they're getting closer.

Really?

How does that prove you right, tell me?

Right, how?

They ain't including me in none of this. It's just them two. It used to be us three, you know?

Okay, but there's not a—

You feel left out?

Yeah.

But feeling left out, does that mean that you have to accuse them of having sex together?

I mean, they doing something. Why they being sneaky?

What's so sneaky?

So why do you think he's accusing you?

Because he's insecure, because he's jealous. I think that honestly, I think that he's jealous of our relationship because he wants to pursue a relationship with her. Because you know, before, They were, he tried to pursue her and she friend-zoned him.

So you've been in a relationship with a woman before?

Yes, a long time ago. But I mean, I am attracted to women, but like who I'm with, I'm with.

Do you think your past relationships are making him insecure though?

I think he's being insecure because of that. Like I said, I think he's jealous because he really wants to pursue a relationship with Nikki. Honestly, that's my whole idea.

Do you think that Jerome is cheating on you?

Yes, because he accuses me of cheating and I mean, he's sneaky too. He didn't want his phone to be gone through, so I feel like he has something to hide.

Were you asked to unlock your phone?

Yeah, but—

And why did you say no?

Because I'm not here for cheating.

But you're here.

Yeah. So you can bring them here to accuse, but when they asked you to unlock your phone as well, you said no?

No, I wouldn't.

Carla said she's not gonna unlock her phone either.

She being sneaky. What's up?

The reason I didn't wanna unlock my phone is because I am not cheating with Nikki. I've been seeing another guy for like 2 months now.

You serious? You gonna bring me here to, you gonna say that right here?

Well, Jerome, this is what I'm gonna say. I know that this is painful for you to hear this, but you did come here for answers.

Right, right.

You came here because you wanted truth and you wanted the truth from me unlocking her phone. But what I would've found in her phone, she's telling you face to face.

I understand.

She's telling you. The thing is, is that I wanna know, Laniki, y'all spent a lot of time together. Did you know the fact that she was seeing someone else?

She had to.

Yes.

She had to.

I did.

Okay. Okay. And why didn't you tell your best friend that you knew?

I do feel guilty about not telling him. I know you should, man. It was just something me and Carla had going on. And yes, I feel like I have betrayed him doing that. But at the same time, I want to work it out.

I'll work it out.

Does Jerome know this guy?

I pray to God I don't.

Yes.

You a snake.

I didn't know that much. I didn't know that much.

I don't believe you neither.

I didn't know that much. I honestly didn't.

You ain't got no remorse. You just over there cool. You just don't care whatsoever, man. You gonna tell me this in front of the whole world. That's crazy.

You called.

We could have had this conversation in private.

I didn't ask you.

Carla, honestly, if he would've asked you in private, would you have said this? If he wasn't brought you here?

Eventually, yes.

Eventually. That's what I'm saying.

Eventually I would have.

You've been a good guy in this situation and you did not deserve this to happen to you.

I got burnt at the end.

You got burnt at the end. But let me tell you something, just because you got burnt at the end doesn't mean that you're not gonna be able to find someone who's gonna value you, who's gonna give you what you need. You understand?

Seriously.

Because I know, listen, right now I know you feel embarrassed, but don't feel embarrassed 'cause you walking away, everybody's gonna see this is a guy who is kind, who is sweet. Yes, you have some insecurities, but unfortunately your insecurities were validated. And so you were somebody who showed up for her, introduced her, you had a thing, and then something in your intuition said something ain't right.

In my heart, I felt it the whole time.

You just was pointing the finger at the wrong person. You was looking at your girlfriend because your best friend, 'cause you're like, oh, maybe that's it. Didn't realize it was somebody else. At all. But that doesn't take away from the man you were, and you will get somebody who you deserve to have a great relationship with. Relationship with.

I pray I do. I appreciate you.

What do you feel right now?

The two closest people to me betrayed me. I don't know how to feel. It's weird. I knew it was something going on, but I wasn't expecting no other dude. I was praying I was wrong.

I know you feel betrayed right now.

Yes.

As you find time to heal, I do believe that Karla has to give you some things to make you sure you know you can actually forgive her. Leniki, I didn't say get back together. I said forgiveness. Leniki, Leniki and you, I do believe, can work on your relationship. I do believe that there's a piece of this where you can figure out a way to rebuild the trust that you two had.

It's a possibility. Me and Karla, there ain't no way.

Karla, I agree.

I'm just cut out.

Talk to her.

I was good.

You talk to her?

No, you said I'm done.

Oh yeah, I'm cool.

Listen. Listen, I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. Carla, I appreciate you stepping up and saying it right now. And I hope that you two can rebuild your relationship because I do think there's a chance there. Hold on, where you going? I'll tell you where you're going. Right here to subscribe and right here to watch more. Period.